ABSTRACT
A “cultural melting pot” is in understatement for Hong Kong’s rich and ever-continuing narrative. Hong Kong has a complex history from becoming a British colony, through the traumatic times of Japanese occupation, to an embodiment as China’s special administrative region today (Welsh 1997). This city keeps on adapting to its ever-changing identity; Hong Kongers constantly negotiate through tensions within family structures, gender roles, socioeconomic, and values. Policies affect the constantly shifting and growing identity of women.
This chapter explores the history and backgrounds of two female art therapists as they navigate the complexities of negotiating the meeting points of various cultures. They grew up in Hong Kong, entered into further education in the West, before returning home to embark on a journey of decolonising art therapy. Observations in this chapter explore the intersectional aspects of the lives of women in Hong Kong. Themes include collectivism, modern and language cultures, extreme pressure at school leading to increased student suicides, and materialistic values that push generations of women to become highly competitive. This chapter will uncover the creative ways these women, including the authors, change the narrative of their story (Essame 2012).
